A lack of maintenance has led to all but one Northern Cape weighbridge falling into a state of utter disrepair, resulting in low revenue collection for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.

“An oversight inspection to the Kimberley weighbridge this week confirmed long-term neglect,” said DA Northern Cape Transport, Safety, and Liaison spokesperson Reinette Liebenberg. “The weighbridge site was exposed and enclosures and building material have been vandalised and are in the process of being carried away.” 

‘The current budget only makes provision for annual calibration’

The only operational weighbridge is situated on the N7 at Springbok, while the remaining two – in Colesberg and Upington – are in a similar state as the Kimberley weighbridge.

“In the absence of functional weighbridges our roads will continue to deteriorate under overloaded and heavy-duty vehicles and illegal substances will also continue crossing our borders without proper inspections conducted at weighbridges,” added Liebenberg.

The department has revealed to the DA that the current budget only provides for annual calibration and will not be able to carry the costs of repairs and updating technology at these sites.

‘NGO Love Life frequently visits various schools’

Community members often voice their concerns about Northern Cape road conditions. “The state of the roads limit my travelling due to some places I travel to, have really bad roads, at times I would have to look for alternative routes to get to my destination, due to potholes,” said Love Life programme coordinator Nielton Warnick.

??A lack of maintenance has led to all but one Northern Cape weighbridge falling into a state of utter disrepair, resulting in low revenue collection for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison. - Reinette Liebenberg MPL

Read full story here:https://t.co/4FJCTxYvNc pic.twitter.com/XGXqmu4fEw

— DA Northern Cape (@DA_NCape) September 26, 2024

The NGO Love Life frequently visits various schools and other organisations in the Northern Cape, travelling to Pixley Ka Seme District, JTG District as well as ZFM District every other week.

‘It could lead drivers to lose control’

Warnick suggested using paving bricks instead of tar as tar is known to give way under the pressure of trucks, and creating a possible trucks-only lane as most of the roads have swollen tar because of trucks with their heavy weight.

Warnick mentioned the roads between Colesberg and De Aar and also between Douglas and Upington, were the ones that required more assistance. “It could lead drivers to lose control of the vehicles and even drive into other vehicles when they swerve out for potholes.”

‘NC is generally good except for when going to villages’

Another Kimberley resident who frequents the N7, N8, N12, N18, N10, R31, and R64 said although roads may still need fixing overall for the past six years, he has seen an improvement, but believes the roads within villages need more attention.

“The state of roads in the NC is generally good except for when going to villages (in JTG) where roads are not tarred. In the overall, traveling in the NC is much better and safe,” said Kimberley resident, Bizzah Mantantana. “Tarring of village roads will make service delivery much accessible, thus benefiting the villagers and saving cost on fixing vehicles (ambulances included).”

OFM News has contacted the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison for comment.

OFM News/Casey-Lee Anthony cg/mvh